Nine proves lucky at Thurles

A number of rollovers recently saw Thurles' jackpot pool reach €152,652 today, with the final leg, the Clonoulty Handicap Chase, going to Seamus Braddish's Nine O.

The 4/1 winner meant that the 'pot was shared 34 times, with a dividend €3367.30.

Former dual point to point winner Nine O raced prominently throughout under Paddy Flood, and went to the front after the third last, before easing home by three and a half lengths from Euro'swell.

Afterwards, Braddish, a property developer from Askeaton, Co Limerick, reported: "He's a great horse to have and has won two 'points', three hurdles and this chase."

He added: "I expected him to run very well here and he was well 'in' on his hurdle mark. He'll probably go for another handicap chase next."

Charles Byrnes' Murrayfield overcame a losing run stretching back to December 2001, when winning the Horse And Jockey Handicap Chase under Andrew McNamara.

In an incident packed race, Murrayfield tracked the leaders throughout and looked held by Island Pride at the second last fence.

However, the last fence was omitted (due to jockey Shay Barry sustaining a minor foot injury) and Murrayfield and McNamara wore down Island Pride on the run-in, staying on for a two and a half length win.

Byrnes, whose horses are in great form all season, later mentioned: "It's almost a bonus to win a race with him at this stage in his life after all the trouble he's had."

Mattock Ranger justified 7/4 favouritism when winning the Cashel Maiden Hurdle under Paul Carberry.

Winning trainer Noel Meade later revealed a few of his pre-Cheltenham nightmares while also reporting "Mattock Ranger jumps and stays well; we'll try to win another hurdle before sending him chasing next season."

Newcomer Son Of Oscar, under always reliable Denis O'Regan, caused a surprise when defying odds of 20/1 (103/1 on Tote) to win the opening Urlingford Maiden Hurdle.

The winner raced in mid division before making steady progress from four out, eventually getting to the front on the run to the last, holding On R eflection by three parts of a length.

Afterwards winning trainer Henry De Bromhead explained "Son Of Oscar had been working well but I didn't think he had enough done to win here."

He added: "He is a really nice horse who will make a lovely chaser in time."

Tom Mullins' Chelsea Harbour landed the Littleton Handicap Hurdle on his handicap debut under Paul Carberry.

The winner led approaching the final flight before staying on for a three length win over Take Your Mark.

Mullins later stated: "I though he was a little badly handicapped and that was a minor surprise. He's a nice horse and longterm chasing is his game."

As is almost the norm, the concluding bumper went to Willie Mullins and Katie Walsh, with newcomer Glencove Marina.